A shoplifter who was so drunk she couldn’t remember stealing has escaped jail, despite appearing before a judge twice in four months.

Sarah Dickinson, 27, of South Terrace in Wallsend was handed a suspended sentence last September after she broke into a Seaton Delaval home to steal a Mulberry handbag.

Despite being in breach of the suspended sentence order issued for the burglary, Judge Stephen Earl decided not to jail Dickinson after she pleaded guilty to shoplifting from Boots the chemist in North Shields.

Defending Kate Barnes told Newcastle Crown Court: “She had been to her grandmother’s funeral, she had drunk a lot of alcohol and had vouchers for Boots.

“She didn’t want to steal and she didn’t remember stealing, but when she left she was stopped by security guards who saw.”

Judge Stephen Earl warned Dickinson not to think he was a soft touch as she avoided jail time.

“My first thought was to give you the sentence but in this case that is a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

“The reality is there is strong mitigation in this case.

“I am bolstered that with the probation service you are spoken of in glowing terms.”

Judge Earl warned: “If you go back down this line you will be back before this court and your suspended sentence will be issued.”

The court was told that Dickinson had recently moved from Northumberland to Wallsend and was working well with the probation service.

Dickinson was ordered to complete a 30 session course run by the probation service to tackle addictions.